The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-10-21

Meh1'hb appreciates the honor Of hav
ing 10 entertain the western waterway,
convention, which assembled here ycs,cr
day in its fifth annual session. II was nm,
propriate that the convention should meet
here, ms II is The most central point on tho
banks Of the great river which enters most
= largely into the purposes for which the
convention was originally formed. Here,
in the metropolis OF the south, the focus
around which and through which the
trade and commerce OF five States ~rcvolvcs,
and TO which every manufacturing and
producing market is sending its products
Tor distribution; where, with its unex.
celled railroad facilities, the best of CONVEX
fences were ut hpnd 10 bear the repre-,
sentatves of tho valley States TO an omen
and generous welcome, Memphis was in
every respect The point at which n repre-.
sentative body whose object was the consid.
Grafton Of suGh "A vital subject 10 meet.
The scope and mstefial purposes OF such a
convention, having for its sole aim the
protection Of the property along the river
banks. the Improvement OF these natural
highways 81 travel and commerce, and 10
expedite the passage Of the products Of the
people and SECURE for them cheaper rates
Of ~fpightagr 10 the senboard, cannot be
oyersliumied or underyalued. Much has
been done nlready, bat II practical inn
proyemcnt and relief " cver 10 come 10
the vast territory Interested in this subject,
II must come from the suggestions and
urgent solicitations Of this convention 10
the federal Congress. in point Of person.
mel the convention IL Of the highest order
OF representative talent composed M il is
OF the leading business and public men
who voice the sentiments Of an aggregated
AREA OF lAOW square miles Of
territory, and In which IL produced
30 per cent. Of the food products Of the
whole pnNN Tho delegates TO the con-
vention are selected with n view 10 their
fitness aud the knowledge they have OF
the quVstions 10 be- discussed and objects
10 be attained. Therefore they come
thoroughly equipped TO formulate practical
Suggestions to Congress, which is asked
10 appropriate from the common treasury
t~hcfseaRs through which needed wlicfis To
&c acccaFashyd. fiu conception OF and
existence al the western waterways con
vcntinn Is due tosthc several mercantile
exchanges within all that territory from
Pcnnsyiyania 10 Louisiana, md embracing
the northwestern States IN far ~ Mime.
sofa. Tho lint general organization was
effected nj st. Louis in The
hli oi lSS3, when UUl. u. D. Wood, OF New
Orleans, was elected president OF the con
vention, and nj III conclusion an executive
committee was formed consisting Of one
memhH iom oach.stnie OF this commit
tee Cola Mood Sas, made chairman, and
has been c~oniinassl IN tiuIi snparity cvrr
encc. To he' rnrrgctic aud nntiring ci-
fouslmnal,a ID hosNstsmatic organization
and rilactunl mcnsuirv which have romltcl
70 the bcnciii OF western waterways il due.
A convection has been held Ia The autumn
OF each ycar sincn lkSi. Cites vie with
enrh other 81 procure the holding II its
Session With olmost ~ eager interest a. for
"A convention Of ono NJ tho leading political
term ~ ferainrs nd Of such r~cprcarnta-
- ability " u composed. The previous
>scsSions lave been held ut ~. Paul, Mimi,
Washington u G., md Now Orleans,
nil oi which wcrc hryrly ut.
tended AMI the deliberations attracting
wide and thoughtful attention. The
waterways convention N an established
public body until the Just and commcnda.
ble purposes for which II WIS formed arr
secured, and 20 he delegate 10 II has be-.
come n coveted honor. The preparations
which the Merchants and Cotton ex.
changes bad gone ~, along with hotel aud
other recommendations, insured y hospitn.
BILE welcome 20 Il who came. With the
delegates NJ Yesterdays session and those
arriving, of which thurc are n largo mum.
Der this morning, this will be one Ut tho
largest conventions OF the kind ever held.